Health Testing in XL American Bullies: What You Need to Know
Health testing isn't a marketing bullet point. It's the ethical foundation of responsible breeding. When a breeder skips it ”” or lies about it ”” you and your dog pay the price. Here's what testing is required, what it reveals, and how to verify it yourself.
Why Testing Matters More in Bullies Specifically
The XL American Bully's unique structure ”” wide chest, heavy bone, compact build ”” creates mechanical stresses on the joints that other breeds don't experience. Combined with rapid growth rates in large puppies, this makes hip and elbow dysplasia a real concern in untested lines.
The XL Bully market also exploded in popularity over the past decade. That rapid demand led many inexperienced breeders into the space ”” prioritizing colour genetics and pedigree clout over health. The result is a generation of structurally and genetically compromised dogs that are already showing up in rescue shelters.
Breeders who test ”” and share documented results ”” are the ones making the breed better. Breeders who don't are making it worse, one litter at a time.
The Four Core Tests
Hip Evaluation (OFA / PennHIP)
Hip dysplasia is one of the most common heritable conditions in large-breed dogs. Affects mobility, causes chronic pain, and can require expensive surgery.
OFA evaluates radiographs and grades hips Excellent, Good, or Fair (passing) vs. Mild, Moderate, or Severe (failing). PennHIP measures the degree of hip laxity and is considered more predictive in young dogs.
OFA results are public. Go to ofa.org, search by the dog's registered name, and verify yourself.
Elbow Evaluation (OFA)
Elbow dysplasia causes front-limb lameness and arthritis. Less common than hip issues but equally debilitating.
Radiographs are submitted to OFA for review. Grades: Normal (passing), Grade I”“III (increasing severity).
Same as hips ”” searchable on ofa.org with the dog's registered name.
Cardiac Evaluation
Some Bully lines carry heritable cardiac conditions. A board-certified cardiologist can detect murmurs and structural abnormalities before they're passed on.
An auscultation exam (listening) is minimum. An echocardiogram provides more detailed information. OFA records the results.
Searchable on ofa.org. Also ask to see the cardiologist's report directly.
Eye Evaluation (CAER / CERF)
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) and juvenile cataracts can cause blindness and are heritable in some Bully lines.
Performed by a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist. Results submitted to the OFA Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CAER). Eyes must be re-tested annually.
Searchable on ofa.org. Results expire after 12 months, so check the date.
"Vet Checked" Is Not Health Testing
This is one of the most common misleading claims in the dog-buying world. When a breeder says puppies are "vet checked," they mean a general wellness exam ”” vaccinations, deworming, and a quick listen to the heart. It does not mean OFA hip evaluations. It does not mean eye certification. It does not mean genetic panel testing.
Always ask specifically: "Have both parents had OFA hip and elbow evaluations, and can I see the certificates?" If the answer is anything other than "yes, here they are," keep looking.
Genetic Panel Testing (Embark / Wisdom Panel)
In addition to physical exams, DNA tests like Embark screen for over 200 heritable diseases and provide a breed composition breakdown. They can identify carriers for progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), exercise-induced collapse (EIC), and other conditions ”” even if the dog shows no symptoms.
At Loyal Lions, we run Embark panels on our breeding dogs and share the results openly. Two carriers can be safely paired ”” as long as the breeder knows which dogs are carriers and makes informed decisions. The problem is pairing two unknown carriers and producing affected puppies.
How We Test at Loyal Lions
Every breeding dog at our kennel in Ontario has OFA hip and elbow evaluations on file. We work with a board-certified cardiologist for cardiac testing, perform annual CAER eye exams, and run Embark genetic panels on all active breeding dogs.
We share this documentation freely because we're proud of it ”” and because you deserve to know exactly what you're bringing into your family.
Check our dogs pages for individual health test listings, or reach out directly and we'll walk you through every result.